Dalston people have expressed their shock after a girl was left fighting for her life and four men were injured in a drive-by shooting.

Gunshots were fired from a motorbike at Evin restaurant in Kingsland High Street at 9.15pm on Wednesday (May 29).

A nine-year-old girl was eating with her family inside the restaurant when a bullet hit her.

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Three other men aged 26, 37 and 42, who were sitting outside the restaurant were also taken to hospital with gunshot injuries.

Ilham Khairzada, who owns Grocery Nest three doors down from the restaurant, said his son was in the shop when he heard shots and saw people running down the road. 

He said the road and every shop in it was shut within 20 minutes.

Ilham said: “It’s very bad, bad for the area, bad for business, bad for people living here. Everybody’s shocked."

He added: "I’m working five years here no problem but this is a big problem. It’s very shocking for me.

"Everybody’s shocked. Why this restaurant? The owner is a very nice man."

Hackney Gazette: George Binette, who lives in Dalston, said the quadruple shooting in Kingland High Street was 'disturbing and unexpected'George Binette, who lives in Dalston, said the quadruple shooting in Kingland High Street was 'disturbing and unexpected' (Image: Nathalie Raffray)

George Binette has lived in Hackney for more than 30 years and moved to Dalston four years ago. He was on his way home from a Diane Abbott rally in Hackney Central when the train driver said they would not be stopping at Dalston Kingsland.

Getting off, he and his partner were eventually able to get a bus, but saw the cordons and a police officer told him there had been a shooting.

"It's very disturbing and quite unexpected," he said.

"I've been to Evin restaurant numerous times, I enjoy their food and the staff are friendly so it was pretty shocking to find out later in the evening that it was the location of this horrible and shocking incident.

"It was still dusk at 9.15pm. There could have been no connection with the apparent targets, anyone could have been killed."

The Met said there have been no arrests. A stolen motorcycle that was believed to have been used in the shooting was recovered in Colvestone Crescent.

Speaking near the scene with Hackney Mayor Caroline Woodley, Detective Chief Superintendent James Conway said: "Locally, people can expect to see a significant police presence in this area, including armed officers, to provide reassurance and support.

"We will also continue our unrelenting focus on suppressing violence, gun crime, and the offenders who endanger our communities.

"Events such as these are rarely spontaneous. Someone knows who is responsible for this shooting that has left a little girl fighting for her life."

Anyone with information that could help the Met's investigation they should call 101.

Alternatively contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org.